Jay Bell Redbird

Jay Bell Redbird was an Ojibway painter whose vibrant works brought together colour, spiritual imagery, animal forms, personal visions, and cultural teachings. As an artist, mentor, and collaborator, he played an important role in the early development of Friends United and left a lasting artistic legacy.

About Jay Bell Redbird

Portrait of Ojibway painter Jay Bell Redbird in front of one of his colourful artworks.

Jay Bell Redbird – Artist Biography

1966-2019

Jay Bell Redbird is an Ojibway First Nation self-taught artist. Growing up, he was influenced by and painted together with world-renowned artists such as Norval Morrisseau, his uncle Leland Bell and his father Duke Redbird. As a teenager, Norval Morrisseau taught Jay about colours and their meanings and how they relate to Aboriginal language, history and culture. Jay’s uncle Leland Bell showed him techniques and shared traditional teachings and stories, explaining the meanings of the animal spirits. His father Duke Redbird taught him how to express his pride as an Aboriginal artist. Following those forming years, he continued to paint, learning more and finding his own voice in stories and visions that he shared through his paintings. They are vibrant in colours, stories and meanings. Jay has collectors in Germany, Scotland, Czech Republic, England, USA and China. In Canada he has collectors in various universities, colleges, schools, daycares, in films and magazines. He also sold many paintings to Holywood actors as he worked in the film industry in Toronto for 8 years. Many actors encouraged him to rather pursue his painting carrier, as they saw Jay’s talent. He met Rolf Bouman in 2012 and has become a mentor for many of the Aboriginal artist of the Friends United initiative. He also has collaborated on some pantings with his partner Halina Stopyra and Rolf Bouman.

Paintings from the Friends United Collection

This gallery presents a selection of his paintings from the Friends United collection. His works are characterized by vivid colour, flowing forms, animal and spiritual imagery, and stories expressed through a distinctly personal visual language.

Forever Pure Love by Jay Bell Redbird, featuring a central bird figure surrounded by flowing orange, turquoise, and blue forms.
Dancer Of Love by Jay Bell Redbird, showing a dancer surrounded by flowing colorful patterns.
Breathless by Jay Bell Redbird, showing symbolic figures and nature imagery in a vibrant composition.
Spiritual Healer by Jay Bell Redbird, showing a figure in traditional clothing.
The Beauty of Loyalty by Jay Bell Redbird, showing two people facing one another within a colorful spiritual scene.
Mind Body Spirit For Healing by Jay Bell Redbird, featuring a bear surrounded by symbolic healing imagery.
Untitled by Jay Bell Redbird, showing Indigenous-inspired symbolic imagery and flowing natural forms.
Untitled by Jay Bell Redbird, showing an eagle surrounded by Indigenous-inspired symbolic imagery.
Beautiful Love Forever by Jay Bell Redbird, showing a loon floating on a peaceful lake beneath a colorful sky.

Work, Mentorship, and Legacy

Jay Bell Redbird’s work extended beyond his own paintings. His artistic development was shaped by teachings and creative relationships with Norval Morrisseau, his uncle Leland Bell, and his father, Duke Redbird. Over time, Jay developed his own visual language through stories, visions, colour, animal imagery, and spiritual meaning.

After meeting Rolf Bouman in 2012, Jay became closely involved with the Friends United initiative. He encouraged and mentored other artists, helped build connections, and contributed to collaborative works with his partner Halina Stopyra and with Rolf Bouman.

Jay’s influence continues through the paintings preserved in the Friends United collection, through the artists he encouraged, and through the collaborative projects and relationships that grew around his work. His connection with Friends United remains an important part of the organization’s artistic history.

Related Videos

Jay Bell Redbird and Rolf Bouman discuss the Seven Teachings, nature and Indigenous art at Friends United.

The Seven Teachings, Art, and Nature

In this conversation, Jay and Rolf Bouman discuss the Seven Teachings, their shared artistic and cultural projects, and the relationships that developed through Friends United.

Watch the conversation about the Seven Teachings (28 min.)

Mary Coyle, Jay Bell Redbird and Loretta Gould in a Friends United interview with Nancy Regan

Mary Coyle, Jay Bell Redbird and Loretta Gould on Art and Reconciliation

Jay Bell Redbird joins Senator Mary Coyle, Loretta Gould, and Nancy Regan for a conversation about art, relationships, and reconciliation within the wider Friends United initiative.

Watch the conversation (60 min.)

Jay Bell Redbird and Halina Stopyra in conversation with Nancy Regan at Friends United

Jay Bell Redbird and Halina Stopyra on Art and Reconciliation

Jay Bell Redbird and Halina Stopyra speak with Nancy Regan about their art, creative partnership, and connection with Friends United.

Jay Bell Redbird and Halina Stopyra Interview (42 min.)

More from Friends United

Explore More Artists…

Melinda Robertson2026-08-06T16:25:24-03:00
Melinda Robertson, portrait photograph of the artist.

Melinda Robertson

Shannon Monk2026-08-06T16:39:15-03:00
Shannon Monk, portrait photograph of the artist.

Shannon Monk

Loretta and Shianne Gould Collaboration2026-08-03T14:28:24-03:00
Portrait of Friends United artists Loretta Gould and Shianne Gould.

Loretta and Shianne Gould Collaboration

Darren McKenzie2026-08-06T16:26:52-03:00
Darren McKenzie, portrait photograph of the artist.

Darren McKenzie

Virginia McCoy2026-08-06T16:27:22-03:00
Portrait of artist Virginia McCoy.

Virginia McCoy

Jasyn Lucas2026-08-06T16:27:53-03:00
Portrait of artist Jasyn Lucas, a Friends United artist known for expressive Indigenous-inspired artwork and symbolic imagery.

Jasyn Lucas

Loretta Gould2026-08-06T16:28:22-03:00
Portrait of Mi’kmaq artist Loretta Gould featured by Friends United, known for symbolic paintings inspired by spirituality and nature.

Loretta Gould

Shianne Gould2026-08-06T16:28:52-03:00
Portrait of Friends United artist Shianne Gould, known for expressive Indigenous-inspired artwork reflecting culture, spirituality, and personal connection.

Shianne Gould

Dozay Christmas2026-08-06T16:29:23-03:00
Portrait of Dozay Christmas, Indigenous Wolastoqiyik artist associated with Friends United.

Dozay Christmas

Gerry Sheena2026-08-06T16:29:51-03:00
Portrait of Gerry Sheena, Interior Salish woodcarver and Friends United artist.

Gerry Sheena

Gordon Fiddler2026-08-06T16:30:24-03:00
Portrait of Gordon Fiddler, Anishinaabe painter from Sandy Lake First Nation.

Gordon Fiddler

Halina Stopyra – Jay Bell Redbird2026-07-30T16:40:02-03:00
Photograph of Halina Stopyra and Jay Bell Redbird.

Halina Stopyra – Jay Bell Redbird

Jay Bell Redbird – Rolf Bouman2026-07-30T16:41:00-03:00
Photograph of Jay Bell Redbird, Friends United Artist, and Rolf Bouman, Friends United Founder.

Jay Bell Redbird – Rolf Bouman

Charles Chisholm – Rolf Bouman2026-07-30T16:41:10-03:00
Photograph of Charles Chisholm and Rolf Bouman together.

Charles Chisholm – Rolf Bouman

Darren Julian2026-08-06T16:31:26-03:00
Portrait of Darren Julian, Indigenous artist featured by Friends United.

Darren Julian

David J. Brooks – Traditional Art2026-08-06T16:31:59-03:00
Portrait of David J. Brooks, Indigenous artist featured by Friends United.

David J. Brooks – Traditional Art

Chelsea Brooks2026-08-06T16:22:54-03:00
Chelsea Brooks, portrait photograph of the artist.

Chelsea Brooks

Jay Bell Redbird2026-08-07T09:34:12-03:00
Jay Bell Redbird, a portrait of the Indigenous artist in front of one of his paintings.

Jay Bell Redbird

Amanda Julian2026-08-07T10:09:46-03:00
Portrait of Amanda Julian, Mi’kmaq painter from Wagmatcook First Nation.

Amanda Julian

Sandra Simon2026-08-06T16:33:56-03:00
Portrait of Friends United artist and quillwork mentor Sandra Simon.

Sandra Simon

Lorne A. Julien2026-08-07T10:12:03-03:00
Lorne A. Julien, portrait photograph of the artist smiling.

Lorne A. Julien

Fancy PeterPaul2026-08-07T10:18:51-03:00
Fancy PeterPaul, portrait photograph of the artist.

Fancy PeterPaul

Halina Stopyra2026-07-31T11:23:29-03:00
Halina Stopyra posing for a portrait.

Halina Stopyra

Eric Schweig2026-08-07T12:14:11-03:00
Eric Schweig, portrait photograph of the artist.

Eric Schweig

Brent Hardisty2026-08-07T12:20:46-03:00
Brent Hardisty, portrait photograph of the artist.

Brent Hardisty